Kirk Degiorgio and Ben Sims launch Machine

Luke Slater guests at the new London techno night, which focuses on new and unreleased tracks.

Techno artists Kirk Degiorgio and Ben Sims will launch a new party in London next month called Machine, kicking off with a guest appearance from Luke Slater.

The Friday night series will have a specific set of ingredients: a dark room, a custom built sound system, and sets from Degiorgio (on Abelton), Sims (on Ableton and Serato via The Bridge) plus a guest (in the case of the first party, Luke Slater). But probably the event's most distinct trait is its exclusive focus on new and unreleased tracks—in other words, no classics allowed. "There will be a guillotine that drops down on the DJ if anything before 2010 is played, specially made for us by Funktion One," Degiorgio kids. This might sound like a pretty hardline stance, but the two artists say it's really just their way of bringing something new and unique to London's scene. Chatting via email earlier this week, Sims and Degiorgio explained the thought process that led to Machine:

Tell us a bit about the concept behind the event. Why have all the artists play only new and unreleased material?

Kirk: I've been wanting to host a regular techno night, and to justify it amongst the many other solid nights I thought it would be good to offer something different. Techno can sometimes fall into complacency, familiar big names are invited as guests and all too often many of them feel obliged to play a lot of familiar "classic" tracks. Nothing wrong with this of course, but I wanted something a little different both for the DJs and the crowd to enjoy.

I think it's healthy when genres of music have a night where new material can be road-tested and the classics of the future can be discovered. Rather than the cozy euphoria of hearing classics such as "Strings Of Life," "French Kiss," "I Feel Love," etc. (all tracks which I love of course), I want to aim for the headfuck you get when hearing an amazing track for the very first time on a great sound system. Drum & bass, dubstep, etc. have all had nights dedicated to pushing new sounds, but it's been a very long time since techno in the UK has had a night devoted to pushing new material.

Ben: Kirk approached me with the concept over a year ago and I was on board straight away. I've been involved in various nights in London over the past ten years, but never something solely focused on playing new music. In fact, I started out with the Retro-Vert parties which actively encouraged guests to play classics, so it just feels like the right time to this, especially as there is so much good new music out right now.

Any hints as to future guests?

Kirk: Hmmmm. We have just confirmed our guest for Machine #2 in London, but we are discussing many other Machine editions in cities such as Leeds, Amsterdam, New York, LA and more which Ben and myself will be bringing the Machine concept, so there might be more guests at these editions too.

Any records in the pipeline you're especially excited about?

Kirk: There will be a release to tie in with the night by Ben and myself. I look forward to playing my forthcoming remixes for Martin Buttrich and Vince Watson at Machine plus new material for Mote-Evolver, Flying Donkey, Rush Hour, Planet E, etc. Also my ART label has releases lined up from Deep Space Orchestra, Miles Sagnia, Claude Young & Nakajima, Ian O'Brien, Paul Mac, The Third Man, all in Q1, so plenty of new material to unleash!

Ben: Yeah, as Kirk said we're releasing a digital EP with each party so I'm looking forward to that, plus I'm working on my debut album for Drumcode which should be out around May.

Tickets to the first edition of Machine with Luke Slater are available right here on RA.

No one was seriously injured in the incident, which took place in the early hours of Sunday morning in Edmonton.

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More on Ben Sims

With over 20 years experience under his belt, Ben Sims has a well-deserved reputation as one of the world's most in-demand and leading techno DJs - a tight, energetic mixer who skilfully weaves together his own distinctive blend of tough funk and hardgrooves, often using three-deck wizardry and plenty of dexterity.View the full artist profile